Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Eugene?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Eugene?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $43,000 in Eugene.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Eugene?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Eugene Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Des Moines, IA versus $1,260 in Eugene, OR. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $63,836 in Eugene, OR. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Eugene, OR

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,011

+16% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,080

+24% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,411

+28% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,674

+25% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$435,400

+137% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$63,836

+0% in Des Moines, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$49,680

+4% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

35.4 yr

+0.8 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

60.4%

47.6%

+12.8 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

44.2%

+15.2 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

19.6 min

18.6 min

+1.0 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

319.6

+55% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

3,348.9

+6% in Eugene, OR

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.9°F

52.5°F

+1.6°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

46.1 in

+10.1 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Eugene, OR

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

16.3

+15% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$20.59

+31% in Eugene, OR

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Eugene, OR

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / OR)

None

+6.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

9.90%

+6.1 pp in OR

Des Moines vs Eugene — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Eugene?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Eugene?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $43,000 in Eugene.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Eugene?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).